The Ivy League Model United Nations Conference has always been proud to sponsor the Franklin Legacy program, which stresses a commitment to various charitable causes at each year¡¯s conference. In past years, we have raised money to buy textbooks for impoverished children in Africa, offset carbon emissions through purchasing credits, started a fund for Tsunami victims, helped feed the hungry, and support victims of the earthquake in Haiti. ILMUNC XXVII will focus on an increasing pressing global concern, international responses to natural disasters.

First and foremost, we will create a platform that will allow our delegates to delve into the issue and search for innovative solutions to this problem, as many committees will discuss responses to natural disasters as one of their topics. Although the natural disasters have always been global catastrophes, recent environmental changes, accompanied by a growing and denser global population, has made natural disasters even more deadly. It is very difficult to coordinate efficient and successful responses to these disasters, and we hope to raise awareness of this issue.

Along with finding answers to questions that governments have failed to address, conference delegates will have an opportunity to help today. The Ivy League Model United Nations Conference is proud to partner with the UN¡¯s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and the Penn Environmental Group. CERF is the key UN organization that deals with natural disasters, and is responsible for coordinating relief efforts from governments and NGOs alike. The Penn Environmental Group is the largest environmental organization at the University of Pennsylvania. They take proactive efforts in fundraising and fostering awareness about natural disasters.

The Ivy League Model United Nations Conference has always placed the utmost importance upon offering delegates a way to learn about the world¡¯s problems. Whether it be inspiring a delegate to become more involved in global issues or through several dollars that will provide an injured child with medical supplies, through our mutual effort, we can take, albeit small in size, a step into the direction of providing better and more efficient responses to natural disasters